Dispensing flexible bag



March 2, 1965 E. KUGLER DISPENSING FLEXIBLE BAG Filed 001;. 30, 1965INVENTOR.

EMANUEL KUGLER AT TORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,171,581 DISPENSINGFLEXIBLE BAG Emanuel Kugler, 124 Richmond Place, Lawrence, Long Island,NY. Filed Oct. 30, 1963, Ser. N 320,048 4 Claims. (Cl. 229-53) Thisinvention relates generally to an improved flexible package dispensingdevice, relates particularly to a flexible package with an integralstraw or sipper, and relates especially to a drinking straw arrangementwithin a flexible container.

It has long been customary to utilize various types of flexible sheetmaterial packages for protectively packaging commodities of many types.The use of such flexible packages for liquids such as beverages ispresently limited. Although beverages may be conveniently packaged inflexible containers, difliculties are encountered with dispensing thesame. For example, if a beverage for human consumption is packaged inthe usual flexible container, the beverage may be extracted from thecontainer only by puncturing a hole through at least one of the wallsthereof. Once a wall is punctured, however, the package is destroyed andall of the beverage must be immediately extracted from the same.Additionally, it will not be possible to pour the contents of theflexible package through an ordinary opening directly into the mouth ofthe person drinking the same. Rather, it will be necessary to pour thebeverage from the flexible package into a drinking glass or the likeprior to consumption. Thus, although at times liquids are packaged inflexible containers, such use is limited gen erally to industrialusages, or a use where the entire liquid contents of the package mustdesirably be placed in another rigid container for use.

It is a cardinal object of this invention, therefore, to provide aflexible package or the like that may be utilized to dispense a liquid,such as drinking beverages, or the like, in a controlled manner.

Another primary object of the invention set forth herein is a flexiblepackage with a drinking straw or sipper contained as an integral partthereof.

A further purpose and accomplishment of the product of this invention isthe provision of an economical flexible package that will permit aportion of the fluid contained therein to be dispensed, withoutnecessitating the entire contents to be removed.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a flexiblepackage as above-described that will dispense beverages or the like fromwithin, without the necessity of permitting air or other substance toenter the container to replace the portion of the fluid removed. Thiswill insure the non-spoilage of the fluid contents even though thepackage is stored for a considerable period of time after initial use.

An ancillary object and accomplishment hereof is to provide a drinkingstraw or sipper that will automatically extend from the flexiblecontainer, when the said container is opened.

A further important purpose of the instant invention is the provision ofa flexible package with the advantages above-described that may bereadily and economically mass-produced.

With these objects in view, the invention consists of the novel featuresof construction and arrangement of parts which will appear in thefollowing specification and recited in the appended claims, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings in which the same referencenumerals indicate the same parts throughout the various figures and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strip of material which may beutilized to form one embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. I

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of this first embodiment of theinstant invention prior to the opening of the same to dispense the fluidcontents therein.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along line 44of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 but showing the package in itsoperative position wherein the fluid contained therein is beingdispensed.

FIG. 6 is a view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a second alternate embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 but showing the flexiblepackage in its operative position-wherein a fluid contained therein isbeing dispensed.

FIG. 9 is a fractional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG.7.

FIG. 10 is a view taken substantially along line 1010 of FIG. 7. I

FIG. 11 is a reduced front elevational view of another embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-42 of FIG. 11. 1

FIG. 13 is a sectional view, corresponding to FIG. 12, but showing stillanother embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings, and especially to FIGS. 1 through 6inclusive, there is shown one preferred embodiment of the instantdevice.

It is to be noted that the instant invention will be functionable inconjunction with any of the many known types of flexible packages. Suchpackages will generally consist of a pair of walls joined together attheir marginal edges either directly or by means of secondary joiningmembers such as gussets or the like. Additionally, such flexiblepackages may be fabricated of a wide variety of materials such as forexample, any of the class of thermoplastics, aluminum, treated fabric orpaper, or the like.

There is shown in the drawings, however, and especially in FIGS. 1 to 6inclusive, a flexible package 10 having a pair of overlying Walls 11 and12 joined together along their four marginal edges. If a material suchas polyethylene is utilized in the fabrication of the package, theterminal edges of the container may be heat-sealed as illustrated. Atleast two of the edges of the container will be additionally joinedtogether by pleats or gussets 14 and 15. Such pleats or gussets arecommonly utilized in the flexible packaging art as to provide anexpanding end wall of a container or the like. Set forth herein is anentirely unique and unobvious use of the said pleats or gussets 14 and15 wherein the said pleats or gussets will function as a passage for theejection of the fluid or the like within the said flexible package. Thelower portion of one of the pleats or gussets 14 will be removed asshown in the drawings or severed to provide access to the passagecreated by the heat-sealing of the extending edges of the said gussets14 and 15.

As will be seen especially in FIG. 5 of the drawings, a heat seal line16 will be provided in parallel juxtaposition to the interior edge ofone of the gussets 15. The said heat seal line will extend from the edgeof the container opposite the pleats or gussets 14 across the containerat least as far as the interior edge of the said pleats or gussets 14.Between the interior edge 18 of the gusset 15 and the parallel heat sealline 16, will be provided a line of perforations 19 to permit the readytearing of the material comprising the container along the said line ofperforations 19. The said line of perforations 19 will extend laterallyacross the container but will terminate just short of the interior edge20 of the side gusset 14.

Additionally, a weakened or scored line 21 is provided at one edge ofthe top gusset 15. This said weakened or scored line 21 should notextend through the thicknesses of the material to permit fluid toescape, except when the material is torn along the said line 21 as shownin FIG. and described hereinafter.

The operation of this first embodiment of the invention may now bedescribed.

The container will be fabricated from material as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2and when assembled prior to usage will appear as in FIGS 3 and 4. Theassembled package of FIGS. 3 and 4 will contain a fluid or otherpourable material, such as a drinking beverage. Such a package will beexceptionally economical, easy to fill and convenient to transport.Additionally, in that all of the edges of the said container are sealedas by heat or.

the like, the package will be eminently safe and will not be subject todestruction as is the more conventional glass container.

When it is desired to dispense and consume the beverage or the likewithin the flexible package It the user thereof will tear the materialalong the line of perforations 19 and the scored line 21-. Thus, theflexible package when being utilized for dispensing purposes, willappear as in FIGS. 5 and 6. The corner portion 22 may be thrown away. Ifdesired, however, the said corner portion 22 may be left attached to thebalance of the flexible package 10 by a thin bridge of material so as toprevent the said small portion 22 from falling back within the saidcontainer. If the material in the package 10 is a fluid for'drinking,the tubular portion A of the container which is the portion above theline of perforations 19, may be inserted directly into the mouth of theperson drinking the same much as would be a conventional drinking straw.The person drinking would then gently squeeze together the side walls 11and 12 of the package 10 causing the liquid within the main storage bodyB of the container to be dispensed as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5,through the opening at the bottom of the gusset 14 through the passagecomprised of the gusset 1 4 and into the passage comprised of the gusset15 and finally out the open end :24 of the portion A into the mouth ofthe person drinking.

Thus, it will be obvious that the structure provided hereinabove, willaccomplish all of the objects previously set forth and others. Aneconomical container is provided that will have an advantage neverbefore obtainable, to wit, .the provision of an integral drinking straw.Of course, additional advantages accrue as a result of the structuredescribed. For example, the nature of this squeeze-.type. container issuch that the fluid material therewithi-n is dispensed by urgingtogether and collapsing the overlying walls 11 and 12. Therefore, it isnot necessary' to provide an air opening into the container to displacethe liquid ejected therefrom, as in the case of the conventional glass'or metal containers. The balance of the fluid then, left'in thecontainer 10 after a portion thereof has been'consum'ed, may bemaintained sanitary in that contaminating air has not been permitted toenter the same.

Moreover, the person consuming the beveragewill not take in air alongwith the fluid providing a more desirable drinking effect. V e Theunique construction provided herein will have many applications. Forexample, the portion A may be utilized as a nozzle as for example, indispensing a garden spray, or a fire extinguishing compound. ,The userwill be able to easily open the container and eject the product merelyby sequeezing the sides thereof, and di- Further, as was mentionedhereinabove, the upper porrect the dispensed product merely by graspingthe portion A and pointing the same in the desired direction.

It is to be understood, however, that this first described embodiment ofthe invent-ion is set forth merely for exemplary purposes and that manyvariations and combinations are possible within the scope of theinventive concept herein. For example, there is shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9and 10 an alternate embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 which is a frontelevational view of this alternate embodiment discloses the flexiblepackage in its assembled and filled condition, ready for use. As in theprior embodiment, there is shown a conventional flexible package 100although flexible packages of any of the known types may in fact beutilized.

A pair of perpendicular interior heat seal lines 118 and 120 will beprovided to define an interior passage for conducting the fluid packagedwithin the container as Will be explained and shown in detail in FIG. 8.

Another line of heat seal is disposed in juxtaposition and parallel tothe heat seal line 12 0. The heat seal lines immediately hereinabovedescribed will serve to join the overlying walls 111 and 112 of thecontainer in a waterproof manner. Positioned between the heat seal lines116 and 120will be a line of perforations 119. Additionally, a weakenedor scored line 121 is positioned at one corner of the flexible package160. The operation of this second embodiment of the invention will nowbe apparent.

The filled contained will be'seen in FIG. 7. When the container is to beutilized as for the direct dispensing of a beverage to a consumer, theportion of the bag will'be torn along the line of perforations 119 asshown in FIG. 8, and the corner will be removed as shown in that figureby tearing along the weakened or scored lines 121. The

a heat seal lines 118 and 12A provide a passage along the marginal edgesof the flexible package 1% to conduct the beverage as shown by thearrows in FIG. 8 outward from the open end 124 thereof. The said openend 124 may be placed directly in the mouth of the person drinking thebeverage thereby providing a straw or sip-per.

tion of the container may be used as a hose or the like to direct theaction of the fluid being dispensed.

Of course it will be realized that as before, many variations areposisble within the scope of this second embodiment of the device. Theheat seal lines may be positioned to describe a passage for thedispensing of the fluid along any portion of the containen'in additionto the portion shown and described herein.

The essential feature of the invention, however, is the heat sealportion tov describe a conducting passage for v the said dispensing ofthe fluid.

It is to be understood, however, that for improved op eration of any ofthe embodiments of this invention, a rigid straw or sipper may beinserted within the described passageor compartment in the bag to insurethat the said passage remains open for conveying the beverage or otherfluid from the interior of the package.

For example, there is shown in FIG. i l a second alternate embodiment ofthe instant invention. This illustrated embodiment is formed inconjunction with a seamed bag. Such a bag is generally formed from asingle strip of web material having a single center or side seam where:the material will be folded back on itself to form the sec-- ond side ofthe bag. As will be shown in FIGS. 11 and 12,, the bag 200 of thisembodiment has an overlapping seam 2531 with a pair of parallel andspaced seal lines 204 and 205 leaving a passage or well 206 therebetweenfor the conducting of the fluid from the package 200. A rigid' theinvention will When the top of the container is torn open, the fluidpackaged therewithin will cause the straw or sipper 208 to rise in viewof the buoyant forces acting upon the said straw or sipper. An opening210 provided in one of the walls of the overlapping seam to providefiuid access from the interior of the package 200 into the passage orwell 206. The straw 268 will then be utilized to consume the beverage inthe interior of the package 200. The rigid straw 208 will serve toinsure against blockage of the passage or well 286. Means such as tapeor the like may be provided at the top of the package 2&0 to insure easeof opening and proper access to the straw 208, while allowing the restof the container to remain sealed.

Shown in FIG. 13 is an elevational view showing another embodiment ofthe instant invention corresponding in most details to the embodimentimmediately abovedescribed. In place of the overlapping seals, mentionedimmediately hereinabove, there is set forth herein a flexible packagefabricated in any of the usual manners, Along one wall of the saidflexible package will be a strip of material 301 heat sealed along itsentire periphery in a watertight manner to the material of the flexiblepackage 300. This will serve to provide an interior compartment whichwill act as a well 302 or the like, for the conducting of the beverageor other fluid from the interior of the package 300. A straw or sipper308 may be placed within the well 302. to conduct the fluids asmentioned above. The operation of this embodiment of the invention thenis identical to that mentioned above.

The interior well 302 may be opened by providing a tear tape or anyother similar opening means across the strip 301. This will provideaccess to the fluid packaged within the container only through the well302. The buoyant forces acting upon the straw or sipper 308 will causethe said straw or sipper to rise within the well. The fluids may then bewithdrawn from the flexible package 300 through the straw or sipper 308with all of the advantages and conveniences mentioned above.

This construction of this invention may, of course, be utilized on anytype of flexible package, whether it be of the flat, gusseted, square,tetrahedran, satchel, easy-opening, pocketed, or any other type.

Still further, a larger flexible package may be provided with any of thedispensing arrangements set forth herein at opposite sides thereof. Acenter seal line may be provided longitudinally separating the containerinto two dis tinct parts. Thus, for example, if a beverage is to bepackaged within the bag, one flavor may be placed on one side, andanother flavor on the other side. The separate dispensing arrangementsmay then be utilized to dispense one or both of the flavors as desired.Dispensing one flavor will in no way interfere with the contents of thecompartment containing the other flavor. Any number of compartments andflavors may be therein provided.

Further, it is to be noted that the use of the straw or sipper of arigid type within a sealed off compartment or well in a flexible packagewill have still another advantage of importance. It is generallyconsidered to be unsafe, and in fact, violative of health codes, toinsert a loose object such as a straw within a packaged liquidcontainer, of an edible fluid. The instant construction, however,accomplishes this object without being violative of health codes in thatthe separate object, to wit, the straw or sipper, will not be loose butin fact, is securely contained within a compartment or well.

While there are above disclosed but a limited number of embodiments ofthe structure and product of the invention herein presented, it ispossible to produce still other embodiments without departing from theinventive c0ncept herein disclosed, and it is desired, therefore, thatonly such limitations be imposed on the appended claims as are statedtherein or required by the prior art.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

'1. A liquid containing bag, comprising:

(a) forward and back walls secured together to form an enclosure withliquid therewithin,

(b) a portion of said forward and back walls being sealed together alonga line parallel to and spaced from one edge of said enclosure to form aninternal passage within and along one side of said enclosure,

( c) said internal passage terminating at one end within said enclosurethereby providing communication between the interior of said passage andthe remainder of the interior of said enclosure,

(:1) said other end of said internal passage terminating at one edge ofsaid bag whereby said edge of said bag when opened will be incommunication with the interior of said enclosure through said internalpassage,

(2) and a second sealed line along said forward and back walls, saidsecond sealed line being parallel to and closely spaced from said firstmentioned sealed portion,

(f) and a line of weakness between said first mentioned sealed portionand said second sealed line, whereby said passage may be torn away fromthe remainder of said bag except at said end in communication with theinterior.

2. A liquid containing bag as set forth in claim 1, further including ahollow rigid tubular member within said internal passage.

3. A liquid containing and dispensing collapsible bag, comprising:

(a) forward and back walls secured together to form an enclosure withliquid therewithin,

(b) at least one edge of said forward and back walls being furtherconnected by a gusset,

(c) the folds of said gusset being secured together at the edge of saidbag whereby the internal fold of said gusset will form a passage,

(:1) an opening in said passage communicating with the interior of saidenclosure, whereby when an end of said gusset passage is openedcommunication will be established through said passage with the interiorof said enclosure,

(e) said forward and back walls of said bag being sealed together alonga line spaced from and parallel to the internal folds of said gusset.

(j) and a scored line along said forward and back walls intermediatesaid interior folds of said gusset and said sealed line whereby saidinternal passage formed by said gusset may be at least partially tornaway from the remainder of said bag when dispensing the liquid contentsof said bag.

4. A liquid containing bag as set forth in claim 3, fur

ther including a hollow rigid tubular member within said internalpassage.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,220,746 11/40Wentz 229-7 2,541,674 2/ 51 Snyder 229- 2,682,902 7/ 54 Metzger 229-62.5X 2,992, 118 7/61 Daline 229-85 X 2,998,340 8/61 Conway et al.

3,004,698 10/61 Ashton 229-62.5 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,154,361 10/57 France.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

1. A LIQUID CONTAINING BAG, COMPRISING: (A) FORWARD AND BACK WALLSSECURED TOGETHER TO FORM AN ENCLOSURE WITH LIQUID THEREWITHIN, (B) APORTION OF SAID FORWARD AND BACK WALLS BEING MOUNTED SEALED TOGETHERALONG A LINE PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM ONE EDGE OF SAID ENCLOSURE TOFORM AN INTERNAL PASSAGE WITHIN AND ALONG ONE SIDE OF SAID ENCLOSURE,(C) SAID INTERNAL PASSAGE TERMINATING AT ONE END WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURETHEREBY PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE INTERIOR OF SAID PASSAGE ANDTHE REMAINDER OF THE INTERIOR OF SAID ENCLOSURE, (D) SAID OTHER END OFSAID INTERNAL PASSAGE TERMINATING AT ONE EDGE OF SAID BAG WHEREBY SAIDEDGE OF SAID BAG WHEN OPENED WILL BE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOROF SAID ENCLOSURE THROUGH SAID INTERNAL PASSAGE, (E) AND A SECOND SEALEDLINE ALONG SAID FORWARD AND BACK WALLS, SAID SECOND SEALED LINE BEINGPARALLEL TO AND CLOSELY SPACED FROM SAID FIRST MENTIONED SEALED PORTION,(F) AND A LINE OF WEAKNESS BETWEEN SAID FIRST MENTIONED SEALED PORTIONAND SAID SECOND SEALED LINE, WHEREBY SAID PASSAGE MAY BE TORN AWAY FROMTHE REMINDER OF SAID BAG EXCEPT AT SAID END IN COMMUNICATION WITH THEINTERIOR.